12th Conference EUSE Lisbon 2015

1. - SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT-
“A BRIDGE OR BARRIER TO
TRANSITION?”
Michael Barrett
Cope Foundation
Cork Ireland
hosted by:
In association with:
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2. -SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT-
“A BRIDGE OR BARRIER TO TRANSITION”?
• This workshop will provoke,
challenge and change
common approaches to
contemporary supported
employment practice, and will
empower and enable each
participant to “change the
world for people with
disabilities forever!”
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3. -SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT-
“A BRIDGE OR BARRIER TO TRANSITION”?
• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities 2006
• EU Disability Strategy 2010-2020
• Member State National Disability Strategies
• Member State National Supported Employment
Programmes
• European Union of Supported Employment
• National Associations/Unions of Supported
Employment
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4. -SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT-
“A BRIDGE OR BARRIER TO TRANSITION”?
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• EU Life Long Learning Programme: Leonardo
da Vinci Partnership Project.
• 14 organizations representing 10 EU member
states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta,
Netherlands.
• Focus: “an examination of ‘Barriers which
Inhibit the Transition from School to
Employment for Persons with Disabilities”.
• Stakeholders: Students/Trainees with
Disabilities, Teachers/Trainers/Job Coaches,
Service Providers, Employers,
Parents/Advocates (Personal Networks).

5. -SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT-
“A BRIDGE OR BARRIER TO TRANSITION”?
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ATTITUDES & PERCEPTION
A MAJOR BARRIER!

6. 6
Some examples of Bar riers
• “I have no self-confidence!”
• “I have low self-esteem!”
• “I am often teased at school!”
• “I am often made fun of at work!”
• “I am a son.. a daughter.. a student.. a
trainee…a client…a service user…a worker
• with an… Intellectual Disability!

7. 7
Some examples of Bar riers
• “He is better off in a sheltered workshop!”
• “She is safer using special transport!”
• “He is not able… or ready for work!”
• “She will loose her social and health benefits!”
• “I know what is best!”
• I am a… Parent!

8. 8
Some examples of Bar riers
• “I do not have sufficient skills or competencies
around disability?”
• “I have too many students/clients to even consider
work opportunities!”
• “There is a lack of resources for career guidance!”
• “I have to choose the better students/trainees for
work experience…for Supported Employment!”
• I am a..TEACHER! a..TRAINER! a..JOB COACH!

9. 9
Some examples of Bar riers
• “I don’t have enough time for persons with
disabilities!”
• “There are no suitable jobs for persons with
disabilities!”
• I don’t have sufficient knowledge of Disability
issues!”
• “There are no incentives to employ persons with
disabilities!”
• “Integration does not always mean Inclusion!”
• I am an… EMPLOYER!

10. 10
Some examples of Bar riers
• “Workers with disabilities are always the 1st
victims
of recession…austerity measures!”
• “Cutbacks in funding for people with disabilities are
a necessary evil!”
• “Systems are too bureaucratic… too rigid!”
• “ There is no progress in terms of the Welfare Trap!”
• I am a… BUREAUCRAT…a CIVIL SERVANT…a
POLITICIAN!

11. 11
Some examples of Bar riers
• “Who else uses this Language…Terminology?”
• “Special needs…Special Transport…Special Schools…
Special Olympics…!”
• Individual Training Plans…Person Centred Planning!
• “Sheltered Employment…Supported Employment…
Open Employment!”
• “Clients…Trainees…Service Users!”
• “People with Disabilities!”
• I am the DISABILITY SECTOR!

12. 12
 Attitudes & Perception remain the most
common Barrier!
 Barriers are common to all partner countries
 The Disability Sector is the first… most
relentless… most challenging Barrier!
 The term “Supported Employment” puts the
spotlight on ‘Support’ rather than
‘Employment’
 Challenge/Opportunity for ‘SE’?
“Let’s not present DISABILITY…as a BARRIER?
rather present BARRIERS… as DISABLING!”
“SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT”
A BRIDGE OR BARRIER TO TRANSITION?
BITSE:BITSE: BRIDGES CAN BECOMEBRIDGES CAN BECOME
BARRIERS!BARRIERS!

13. 13
“SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT”
A BRIDGE OR BARRIER TO TRANSITION?
BITSE:BITSE: BARRIERS CAN BECOME BRIDGES!BARRIERS CAN BECOME BRIDGES!
• We can change the world for people
with ‘disabilities’ by changing how we
think about
“SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT”
• By changing how we do
“EMPLOYMENT!”

14. 14
Thanks for Listening!
Contact:
Michael Barrett
EURO PROJECT CONSULTANT
COPE Foundation
Cork, Ireland
barrettm@cope-foundation.ie
www.cope-foundation.ie